Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/41—Devices for promoting penis erection
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H19/00—Massage for the genitals; Devices for improving sexual intercourse
  • A61H19/30—Devices for external stimulation of the genitals
  • A61H19/32—Devices for external stimulation of the genitals for inserting the genitals therein, e.g. vibrating rings for males or breast stimulating devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
  • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
  • A61H23/0245—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
  • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
  • A61H23/0254—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with rotary motor
  • A61H23/0263—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with rotary motor using rotating unbalanced masses
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/41—Devices for promoting penis erection
  • A61F2005/417—Devices for promoting penis erection by vibrating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
  • A61H2201/5023—Interfaces to the user
  • A61H2201/5035—Several programs selectable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
  • A61H2203/04—Position of the patient
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2230/00—Measuring physical parameters of the user
  • A61H2230/04—Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
  • A61H2230/06—Heartbeat rate

Definitions

• the present invention relates to methods and means for providing for or at least assisting in the provision of an erected state of the male sex organ. This may be desirable in the case of an erectile dysfunction, but also finds application for persons with a normal erectile function as an additional stimulation in sexual contexts.
• an erection can be achieved by mechanical stimulation, manually or by the use of a vibrator means, by chemical stimulation, or simply by psychological influence.
• the ability to achieve an erection may be strongly reduced or even entirely absent.
• the only possibility for achieving an erection may be a vibrator means or chemical influence, typically through injection or intake of tablets.
• a vibrator means will be a preferred solution, because injections are associated with pain and intake of tablets often brings along significant side effects, both for normally fit and highly impaired persons.
• Condoms having a "vibrator” mounted thereon, intended to “do it for both parts at the same time,” are available in the market, presumably as a general stimulation or as an additional amusement.
• the vibrator is a small electro motor with a skew or eccentric load on a rotating axle.
• penis rings with a similar vibrator motor, i.e. which does not have the function of retaining any ejaculated sperm, but wherein the function of the ring is to maintain the erection by preventing backflow of blood from the penis.
• An example of such a penis ring is disclosed in the international publication WO 03/037242.
• the penis vibrator of WO 03/037242 is comprised of a ring or a ring- shaped band that has an outward bulb, and to the bulb a small “micro vibrator unit” as well as a battery unit are attached.
• the battery unit is equipped with a starting arrangement in the form of a rotary sleeve, which when turned makes contact with the battery and closes the electrical circuit to the vibrator unit. The manner of operation is that the vibrator is started by rotating the rotary sleeve and then runs until the battery is empty, or until it is switched off by an opposite rotation.
• WO 2007/105248 which like WO 03/037242 is a penis ring for imparting stimulating mechanical vibrations to both the male and female sex organs during intercourse.
• WO 03/037242 a ring comprising two micro vibrator units is disclosed and shown. One unit is meant for stimulating the penis, whereas the other is meant for stimulating the vagina.
• the two vibrator units are arranged in parallel, but at opposite sides or "ends" of the penis ring carrying them.
• a click button starting mechanism is provided for each vibrator unit, enabling the continuous operation of each vibrator until the associated battery runs empty, or until the click button is actuated to the stop position.
• WO 1992/09962 describes an apparatus for sensing and measuring penile blood flow and erectile function using piezoelectric elements.
• ultrasound power systems have been used for physical therapy in the treatment of sore muscles and other ailments.
• Such systems preferably operate in the range 1 -3MHz, which range is known to have an effect on the circulation of blood.
• US patents 4,966,131 and 5,095,890 to Mettler Electronics describe different elements in a hand held device for such treatment. It is also known that at frequencies in the range 150-250Hz, low amplitude vibrations (10-25 ⁇ m) causes expansion of the blood vessels in the skin, whereas higher amplitudes (100-200 ⁇ m) in the same frequency range causes the blood vessels to contract.
• the aim of the present invention is primarily to assist in achieving, enhancing, and maintaining a penis erection, and to a lesser extent to also stimulate a sex partner. However, in certain scenarios such an effect could also be attained using the method and means according to the present invention.
• the present invention takes as a point of departure, that the effect obtained using a vibrator penis ring according to the prior art will be insufficient for many people. There is hence a need for a stronger and more efficient activation of penis.
• the invention is based on the knowledge that pro-erectile activation may be increased by providing vibrating massage along the penis, so that the blood flow to the penis is stimulated.
• Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of the male sex organ
• Fig. 2 shows a basic embodiment of a means according to the present invention
• Fig. 3 shows an exemplary operating scheme for use by the means shown in fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of the means according to the present invention
• Fig. 5 shows an exemplary operating scheme for use by the means shown in fig. 4.
• Fig. 6 shows a safety feature recommended on the means according to the invention.
• a therapist may provide assistance in achieving an erection and possibly having an ejaculation, either by the injection of a chemical substance or by the use of a mechanical aid, as mentioned above.
• the present invention is directed towards the latter scenario, but is also aimed at providing an efficient means, of a non-chemical type, of self-help and for use by healthy persons that feel the need for additional stimulus in their sex life.
• the means according to the present invention is based on the use of small vibrator units.
• Such vibrator units are comprised of a small DC motor with an eccentrically positioned weight on the motor axle, so that when the motor is supplied with power and rotates the axle, mechanical vibrations having the same frequency as the rotational frequency of the motor are generated.
• Such vibrator motors are commercially available as very small units, commonly having a length of less than 1 cm and having a diameter as small as 3 mm.
• Shicoh Co. Ltd. and Namiki Seimitsu Honseki K.K. both of Japan.
• Motor speeds i.e. rotational frequencies, will be in the range of 50-200 Hz.
• the motors may be powered by a DC voltage in the range of 1 -5 volts, and are possible to energize using small batteries.
• fig. 1 showing a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the penis.
• the figure shows the two sponge bodies 1 that on an erection are filled with blood, arteries 2 and 3 that supply blood, a vein 4 that leads blood back, the urethra 5, and nerves 6.
• a mounting attachment 10 for vibrator units is provided, in the form of a penis ring such as shown in fig. 2.
• penis ring 10 comprises a ring 11 of an elastic material, such as rubber, silicon, or allergy-tested latex material, for example.
• the lower part of ring 10 is advantageously free of other equipment, so that an open rubber area is ready to stretch in order to allow for the expansion necessary when the penis is erecting.
• Penis ring 10 is equipped with a row 14 of vibrator motors 8 (three motors, A, B, C, in the example shown), a battery 7, and an electronic control circuit 9.
• battery 7 is shown as a so-called "paper battery” that may be positioned so as to follow and extend along the surface of the ring, either embedded into or on the inside of the ring.
• the battery arrangement may be configured in various suitable manners, e.g. with small disc-shaped or cylindrical batteries nearby the vibrator units.
• electric power may be supplied via cable from an external power source, and the control circuit may similarly be positioned outside of mounting attachment 10. Such an embodiment is particularly suited for institutionalized patients.
• Wires (not shown) connect battery 7, the electronic control circuit 9, and vibrator motors 8 in the embodiment of fig. 2.
• a start button or switch is advantageously positioned on the side of the elevation 12 into which the vibrators and circuit are cast. (In an embodiment having external power and control, start/stop will also advantageously be operated externally.) It is noted that the drawing of fig. 2 is schematic and a principle drawing.
• the unbalanced flywheels 13 of the miniature motors are hence able to rotate freely, i.e. they are located in separate chambers (not shown).
• the penis ring/mounting attachment includes, preferably on the underside of the vibrator/controller assembly, a sensor assembly for capturing the heart beat frequency (pulse) of the user, either by passive listening at the arteries 2 on top of the penis, or in a more advanced manner using ultrasound and Doppler echo measurement of the blood flow.
• the reason for sensing the heart rate of the user is to adjust the intensity of the vibratory impact to the current physical condition of the user, for which the heart activity is a good indicator.
• the adjustment may then be accomplished through a regulation of the operational scheme of the vibrators, typically by varying the length and occurrence rate of intermittent breaks (see below).
• the speed of the vibrator motors may also be regulated.
• an erection sensor sensing the strength of the erection, e.g. using a technology similar to the RigiScan technology (see below), or through a simple pressure measurement on the inside of the ring. Adjustment of the operating scheme may also be carried out in dependency of such measurements.
• the number of vibrator units 8 may be increased to four, five, or more.
• such motors should form a linear row 14 as shown in fig. 2.
• a further extended embodiment results from providing an additional two rows further down on the periphery, so that five vibrator rows are distributed around the periphery, with the first row being "on top” of the periphery. It was mentioned above that a lower part of ring 10 advantageously should be free of "equipment” in order to form an area of expansion, but in the present example with a greater number of vibrator rows, each area between the vibrator rows should be such expansion areas.
• the top vibrator row is omitted, so that the main objective becomes to activate the arteries in sponge bodies 1 using four vibrator rows on the sides, for example.
• the uppermost ones of four such vibrator rows will also ensure an adequate influence on the nerve bundles 6.
• a major idea is that the vibrator units 8 A, B, C are to be operated sequentially starting closest to the root of the penis (assumed on the left in the figure), in order to generate an outwards massaging movement in the lengthwise direction of the penis.
• Each vibrator unit 8 typically rotates with a rotational frequency in the range of 50-200 Hz. It is here assumed a vibrator frequency of 80 Hz.
• fig. 3 shows a scheme for operating the motors/vibrators:
• each motor is hence able to carry out 4 revolutions within each actuation time window of 50 ms, i.e. four vibrations by each motor at a time. Following the working period of 60 seconds, the operation is halted for 5-10 seconds, and after 6 such full cycles, a longer break of 30 seconds, for example, is taken.
• a second exemplary operating scheme following the same main steps as shown in fig. 3 may be that motor A on the first run is allowed to operate for 150 ms (i.e. 12 vibrations), after which motor B is started for the first time at time 250 ms and runs for 150 ms to time 400 ms. Motor C is then started 100 ms later, i.e. at time 500 ms, and runs for 150 ms to time 650 ms.
• 150 ms i.e. 12 vibrations
• This sequence is, as it appears, slower than the sequence described first, and a break occurs between each motor run. In the first scheme, it is switched between the motors as much as 12 times per second, whereas in the second scheme, switching occurs 4 times per second.
• the pulse sequence may be repeated 20 times, i.e. for a time period of 15 seconds, before a longer break of 3 seconds, however with an even longer break of 10-15 seconds being taken following 1 minute of operation.
• the programming of the electronic control circuit is carried out according to experiments in order to use a sequencing to which most users will respond positively.
• possibilities are also envisioned for producing units having differently programmed control circuit boards, or, in the most advanced case, options for user selection of program.
• an adapted scheme is run that traverses the individual vibrators repeatedly and cyclically, with or without a short break at the transition from one vibrator to the next and with a longer break following a predetermined working period of 1 minute, for example.
• the operating scheme is extended. If the vibrator rows are all equal, it is possible to run e.g. three rows entirely simultaneously and in the same manner. However, a certain time delay between the upper row and the two rows on the sides could be more advant- ageous. In other respects, there are no restrictions on the kind of operating scheme selected.
• the duration of breaks may be extended if the heart rate of the user increases to a higher than desirable level.
• the arrangement Due to the wave cycle of the motor row, the arrangement produces a pumping effect on arteries and veins in the penile body that both increases the flow of blood to the sponge bodies of the penis and reduces the backflow. In combination, these effects provide for a more powerful erection.
• the invention may be designed with an internal bulb applying pressure against the upper side of penis to further limit the backflow of blood through veins 4 (see fig. 1 ).
• the erection enhancement means of the invention is susceptible to various embodiments, e.g. implemented as a tightening ring or mounted as a plaster or adhesive tape. Other implementation alternatives may be as a sleeve or as a clamp. It may also be mounted within a vacuum pump.
• pulse length Numerous different combinations of pulse length, pulse occurrence rate, and break periods yields good results. Seemingly recommendable pulse lengths are in the range of 50-250 ms (which with a motor rotation frequency of 80 Hz results in four to twenty vibrations per pulse).
• Well-working pulse rates are in the range of 2-10 pulses per second.
• Pauses between the individual pulses may be varied in the range of -10-100 ms (i.e. the delay from the time when a motor in the row stops to the time at which the next motor starts). The pauses used will be short breaks of down to 3 seconds as well as longer breaks of up to 60 seconds. Any combination of shorter breaks and longer breaks may also be used.
• Working or running time (consisting of pulses and breaks) may be varied within the range of 10-60 seconds.
• the effect of the present invention may, in special cases with a need of orgasm/ejaculation for disabled patients (especially when there is a full breakage in the nerve connections to the abdominal area), be boosted by adding additional, individual vibrator motors at the edge of the glans penis.
• This may e.g. be provided for in a sleeve or condom type of embodiment, or perhaps in a plaster embodi- ment.
• an additional vibrator motor is provided on each side, symmetrically along the underside of the glans penis. The powering of such motors then occurs as part of the sequenced pulsation discussed above, e.g. synchronously with, or with a fixed time delay after the sequences for vibrator rows on the sides of the penis shaft.
• fig. 4 which in most respects shows the same embodiment of the invention as fig. 2, but in which reference number 15 refers to piezo strips extending downwardly on the inside of mounting attachment 10, and wherein each strip is allocated to a respective one of the three vibrators 8.
• the piezo foil strips 15 extend downwardly in a similar manner also on the opposite inner surface of ring 10, i.e. three elongate strips 15 a, b, c are located right underneath a respective vibrator. (In another embodiment, with five vibrators 8, for example, there would be five similar piezo strips 15.
• Arrangement 1 would exhibit the same piezo foils as used with only a single vibrator row, i.e. the configuration shown in fig. 4, but have an additional two vibrator rows on the sides.
• Arrangement 2 would exhibit three rows of vibrators with allocated, and then correspondingly shorter, foil strips to each individual vibrator, with the strips extending in the same circumferential direction as shown in fig. 4, i.e. "fig. 4 strips” cut crosswise into nine strips.)
• the underlying piezo strips 15 abc are intended to be run synchronously with the operation of vibrator motors 8 ABC in order to further enhance the effect. Therefore, working periods are run simultaneously for the motor system and piezo foil strip system.
• Fig. 5 is based on fig. 3 and shows the exact same operating scheme for the vibrator units as does fig. 3. In this case however, separate lines have been added in order to show an exemplary operation of the piezo foils, and the scheme for foil a is shown right underneath vibrator motor A, etc. Note that while the motor diagrams show the voltage history, i.e. DC voltage as a function of time, the foil diagrams only show the actuation period. What really takes place for the foils is the following:
• an AC voltage at 4000 Hz (or a frequency in the range of 2000- 10 000 Hz, preferably in the range of 3000-5000 Hz) is used to excite the foils.
• the AC voltage is applied to the foils in short impulses, and the first impulse starts at time 0 and is conducted to foil a, shown as a first, erect bar in the diagram right underneath the first pulse to motor A. Thereafter the impulses continue with an impulse occurrence rate of 40 Hz, meaning that two such impulses are discharged within the duration of the first pulse to motor A.
• the impulses are transferred to foil b in synchronization with the first pulse to motor B, after which the AC impulses continue to follow the motor pulses synchronously, and in the diagram shown, throughout a time period of 1 second.
• the duration of each impulse is 10 ms, meaning that the piezo foil is subject to 40 oscillations per impulse (when the fundamental frequency is 4000 Hz).
• the first impulse occurs at 0 ms, impulse no. 2 at 25 ms (these two being conducted to foil a), impulse no. 3 at 50 ms, no. 4 at 75 ms (these two being conducted to foil b), etc.
• the fundamental frequency, impulse duration, break between the impulses, and impulse rate may all be varied within certain limits.
• the fundamental frequency should be in the range of 150Hz - 3MHz, as mentioned above.
• the impulse rate could be in the range of 20-200 Hz, the impulse duration in the range of 5-20 ms, and the break in the range of 10-40 ms.
• foil strips 15 are actuated in a
• the foil amplitudes were in the range 10-25 ⁇ m and the vibrator motors were run at 80-120Hz.
• the duration of each pulse A, B and C to the motors and impulses a, b and c to the piezo foil were 1 second to each motor and its corresponding foil, followed by a pause of 300ms.
• This sequence of 3.3 seconds was repeated for about 1 minute before changing the fundamental frequency of the foil in the sequence I, II, III, I ...
• the test showed that this sequence was significantly more effective than the one described in the first example, maintaining erections without other stimuli.
• outer wings/lugs 16 are integrally cast onto the erection enhancement means as shown in fig. 6, in order to enable a rapid removal of a penis ring when necessary.
• the motivation behind the selected (preferred) parameter value ranges being used is knowledge of the anatomical conditions and the natural activities in connection with normal coitus positions, resulting in "natural" vibration frequencies generated by friction between the female and male skin and pellicle features in the carrying out of such activities. These are conditions inherited in people from a relatively early stage of development, and that make “the body recognize as positive stimulation" frequencies that resemble the natural frequencies.

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• 2008
  • 2008-11-21 NO NO20084904A patent/NO329077B1/no unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-11-23 UA UAA201107753A patent/UA101415C2/ru unknown
  • 2009-11-23 US US13/129,701 patent/US8628466B2/en active Active
  • 2009-11-23 PL PL09827795T patent/PL2355757T3/pl unknown
  • 2009-11-23 CN CN2009801005315A patent/CN101848688B/zh active Active
  • 2009-11-23 JP JP2011537386A patent/JP5614657B2/ja active Active
  • 2009-11-23 EA EA201170719A patent/EA019052B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
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• 2011
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